Smart parking with AI and IoT: less congestion and CO2

These changes further exacerbate the challenges of finding a parking space in city centers. According to Europe’s largest automobile association, ADAC, around 30 percent of inner-city traffic is attributed to the search for a parking space alone. Paradoxically, even at peak times, only 70 percent of the available parking spaces in cities are occupied on average. The consequences are serious: needless traffic jams, increased exhaust fumes, excessive noise, environmental impact, and a deterioration in the quality of life for residents and visitors.

To tackle the problem, Munich-based Cleverciti has developed an innovative solution in collaboration with the international team of DT IoT: an intelligent parking management system that combines AI-powered sensors with IoT technology.

"Our aim is to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, enable cities to manage car parking more effectively and improve the quality of life for everyone," says David Parker, CEO of Cleverciti. "And, of course, people who drive into the city centre should be able to find a free parking space more quickly." The system uses digital displays or a smartphone app to guide drivers to unoccupied parking spaces at their destination via the shortest route. This significantly shortens the search time and leads to a noticeable reduction in traffic. In the Cologne district of Nippes, where the system was already implemented in 2020, parking search times were reduced by a whopping 45 per cent. This time saving not only means less stress for drivers, but also has a positive impact on the overall traffic situation in the city.

The environmental aspect is another significant benefit. Emissions and noise in city centres are noticeably reduced. The project in Cologne-Nippes shows that the distance travelled to find a parking space is reduced by 41 percent. This contributes directly to improving air quality and supports cities in their efforts to become more environmentally friendly and liveable.

The Cleverciti system opens up completely new possibilities for urban planning. Cities receive detailed analyses of parking space usage, which enables better planning and more efficient management. This data-based approach allows those responsible to make informed decisions - be it when reallocating parking spaces, adjusting parking charges or planning new traffic concepts. In Cologne, the car park utilisation rate rose from 88 to 96 percent: two thirds of the parking spaces that previously remained unoccupied on average can now be found by drivers. This significantly increases the efficiency of the existing infrastructure - and the income of the city and car park operators.

Last but not least, the local economy also benefits from the Cleverciti solution. Retailers and restaurateurs in city centres often suffer from the difficult parking situation, which deters potential customers. By making it easier to find a parking space, visitors have more time for shopping or visiting restaurants. This can lead to a revitalisation of city centres and support local businesses. In Cologne, the implementation of the system led to a positive ROI in less than two years.

A decisive factor in Cleverciti's success is its collaboration with Deutsche Telekom. "We have switched the data transmission from our sensors to Deutsche Telekom's IoT mobile radio," says Parker. "The global coverage, security and reliability as well as flexible data tariffs were key factors in our decision." The IoT SIM cards from Telekom work worldwide. "This means that we can send our devices, which we manufacture here in Germany, to our customers worldwide. And no matter where the device is installed, it works immediately.

"Networking the sensors via mobile communications enables extensive remote maintenance and update functions. "Telekom also offers us flexible data billing based on actual consumption," says Parker. "This simplifies administration considerably. With other providers, we had to make complicated package changes for each SIM card in order to upgrade or downgrade depending on the expected data requirements for the month.

"Another important point is the security. "With Deutsche Telekom, we have a secure M2M connection and an IPSec tunnel to our data centres. Our devices do not communicate via the public Internet - so no one from outside can try to access the device. This secure connection is very important for us and our customers."

Cleverciti plans to expand its technology to other cities worldwide in the coming years. The company is focusing on optimizing parking space management and integrating the solution into more comprehensive smart city concepts. "One of our latest partnerships in Germany is with the City of Celle, where we implemented a new city-wide parking guidance system," says Parker. "And we have already announced some great projects in the US this year. For example, we have launched our solution in Pasadena, California, West Palm Beach, Florida, and Park City, Utah. And we're not stopping there!"

The partnership between Cleverciti and Deutsche Telekom shows how combining innovative technology and reliable connectivity forms the basis for smart solutions in urban areas. It is an exciting step towards more efficient, sustainable, and livable cities.